Joanne Guidoccio is guesting with a post mentioning one of my personal favorite inspirations - Julia Cameron and morning pages She's also offering a chance to win a 10.00 Amazon Gift card. Joanne writes seasoned heroines in women's fiction, fantasy, and in cozy mysteries. I read the first Gilda Greco mystery and loved it. I'm looking forward to reading more.
In Praise of Morning Pages and Artist Dates
In 1992, I picked up a copy of The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. Hoping to inspire and motivate
my inner writer, I spent an entire weekend devouring the book and then decided
to incorporate morning pages and artist dates into my life.
That enthusiasm fizzled after only one week.
At the time, I was in the thick of my career and
personal life. Busy with course preps, curriculum meetings, extra-curricular
activities, and family health issues, I found myself unable to even consider
adding one more activity to my schedule.
Fast forward to 2008.
I retired and started to write, following the
dictates of my well-honed left brain (I’m a math teacher). Over 500 of my
articles and book reviews appeared in online and print publications. Five of my
novels have been traditionally published, and a sixth WIP awaits me.
In spite of this productivity, I have experienced
several bouts of writer’s block during this decade of retirement.
To jumpstart my creativity during one prolonged
hiatus, I decided to revisit The Artist’s
Way. To my delight and surprise, I successfully incorporated Julia’s
suggestions into my daily regimen and have maintained the momentum for the past
two years.
I started with morning pages, “three pages of
longhand writing, strictly stream-of-consciousness.” Some days, I would go
beyond three pages, other days I barely got one page done. But I didn’t fret
about those details. Instead, I kept Julia’s advice in mind: “There is no wrong
way to do morning pages.”
Artist dates—setting aside two hours weekly for a
solo activity that adds to my creative consciousness—were more challenging. While
many of Julia’s suggestions—take a long walk, visit an artist supply’s shop, go
cloud watching, fly a kite—sounded easy and doable, I knew that I needed more
stimulating activities.
Hoping to find possible “Artist Date” activities, I
started reading notices on bulletin boards and the Events sections of local
papers. One afternoon, I noticed a brochure advertising a Fall Fibres Fair in
nearby Fergus, a short thirty-minute drive away. I spent a delightful Saturday
afternoon chatting with artisans and admiring the different crafts, among them,
spinning, weaving, and basketry.
The following week, I spent the afternoon at Fair
November, a much larger fair showcasing the traditional and modern handmade
crafts of over 80 artisans.
Later
in the month, I participated in a Boxed Card workshop and produced two
beautiful Christmas cards that I have proudly displayed and shown off to
friends.
While I didn’t follow all of Julia’s rules—not such
a bad thing—I did reap the benefits of those early artist dates and gained the
confidence to schedule at least one date each month. By immersing myself in new
and different situations, I am able to replenish my inner well and fire up my
imagination. In my morning pages, I continue to vent and experiment with ideas
for articles, short stories, and future series.
Onward!
Blurb A Different Kind of Reunion,
While
not usually a big deal, one overlooked email would haunt teacher Gilda Greco.
Had she read it, former student Sarah McHenry might still be alive.
Suspecting foul play, Constable Leo Mulligan plays on Gilda’s guilt and persuades her to participate in a séance facilitated by one of Canada’s best-known psychics. Six former students also agree to participate. At first cooperative and willing, their camaraderie is short-lived as old grudges and rivalries emerge. The séance is a bust.
Suspecting foul play, Constable Leo Mulligan plays on Gilda’s guilt and persuades her to participate in a séance facilitated by one of Canada’s best-known psychics. Six former students also agree to participate. At first cooperative and willing, their camaraderie is short-lived as old grudges and rivalries emerge. The séance is a bust.
Determined
to solve Sarah’s murder, Gilda launches her own investigation and uncovers
shocking revelations that could put several lives—including her own—in danger.
Can Gilda and the psychic solve this case before the killer strikes again?
Excerpt
Jim
whistled. “You sure don’t like it easy. With all your millions, you’d think
this crap could somehow miss landing on you. But you do seem to attract it.” He
chuckled. “Might be something to address with a therapist or maybe the psychic
you’ve just met.”
“I
didn’t just meet Cassandra. I got to know her and her parents very well during
those seven months I taught in Parry Sound. They’re good people.” I could tell
by his tone that he was dismissive of Cassandra’s psychic powers. While I was
also skeptical, I did feel the urge to defend her. She had been so sincere and
so open. I couldn’t fathom the notion of Cassandra faking or putting on the
airs of a psychic. It wasn’t in her nature to be deceitful.
“I’m
sure they are,” Jim said. “But let’s face some facts here. Most psychics need
to make a living. I don’t doubt this lady has some intuitive ability—as many
women do—but I don’t think it’s enough to catch a murderer. The constable is
grasping at straws. What did you say his name was?”
“Leo.
Leo Mulligan.”
“Tall,
dark-haired guy. Good-looking and a bit of a rascal.”
“He’s
evolved.” I immediately regretted my response. Knowing Jim, he would pounce and
tease me.
“And
you’re interested,” Jim said, chuckling. “What does your boyfriend think about
this cozy reunion you’re having with a more evolved
constable?”
Trailer
Giveaway
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Buy Links
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The Wild Rose Press: https://is.gd/nQ2ZjT
Bio
A
member of Crime Writers of Canada, Sisters in Crime, and Romance Writers of
America, Joanne writes cozy mysteries, paranormal romance, and inspirational
literature from her home base of Guelph, Ontario.
Where to find
Joanne Guidoccio
Website:
http://joanneguidoccio.com/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/joanneguidoccio
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